Editorial: Repeal energy tax as soon as possible

First things first: It is, indeed, excellent news that the recently approved state budget includes relief for Dutchess County that will allow it to repeal a controversial energy tax.

Various state and county officials have been working on this effort, and county residents definitely need a break - and then some.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and the majority of the Republican-controlled county Legislature opted to institute the tax, in part, to deal with a substantial budget shortfall. But the state's budget agreement includes $5.25 million of relief funding for Dutchess County, and county officials say it will be enough to rescind the energy tax. They should begin that process as soon as possible.

But other fights remain on the energy front and must not be forgotten. For instance, unless a change occurs, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will implement a "new capacity zone" in May, with the idea being to lure developers to build more power plants to help provide more power to the New York City area.

The Hudson Valley - including Dutchess and Ulster counties - would be part of this zone, and utility rates in the Hudson Valley could rise 5 percent to 10 percent. This is completely unacceptable. The area is still struggling economically, and people have been slammed with high energy bills, in part, as a result of the harsh winter.

As for the county energy tax, Molinaro worked with state Sen. Greg Ball, R-Patterson, and Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, D-Hudson, to secure state funding so the tax can be rescinded. Such bipartisan efforts are clearly needed in Albany, and it was good to see one come through that will benefit Dutchess, which has seen several big state facilities close over the years and has struggled to recover following the recession.

The 3.75 percent county surcharge took effect in March and was expected to generate about $8 million annually for the county, but Molinaro believes the county should be able to make the proper adjustments to keep the budget in line with the new state aid.

Repealing this surcharge would set the county on a better path, but many fights are ahead. Rising energy bills are a great setback to the local economy, hurting homeowners and businesses alike. The public's backlash against the county energy tax did make a difference to effect change. That effort must not stop now.

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Editorial: Repeal energy tax as soon as possible

First things first: It is, indeed, excellent news that the recently approved state budget includes relief for Dutchess County that will allow it to repeal a controversial energy tax.